Moving from Bakersfield, CA to McAllen, TX
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β McAllen, TX cover 1701 mi and about 29h 23m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1701 mi Β· 29h 23m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 281, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Lancaster, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | McAllen | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 85.895 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 81.186 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 55.892 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in McAllen are 14.9% below Bakersfield β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: McAllen typical home at $229,001 is 14.9% under Bakersfield at $396,047 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, McAllen +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 18.7" |
Climate warms by 10.4Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 75.5Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: McAllen sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, MCALLEN, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | McAllen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 143,789 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $60,165 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 20.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.98 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.9% between Bakersfield and McAllen (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McAllen MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 49,560 | $22,940 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 42,390 | $22,490 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,950 | $34,890 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 28,370 | $58,670 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,190 | $23,220 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McAllen average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to McAllen?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1701 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is McAllen, TX from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 1701 mi and the route typically takes 29h 23m via I 10 and US 281. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs McAllen?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,165 in McAllen vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 22.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in McAllen compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $32,550 in the McAllen MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 285,850 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in McAllen compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $229,001 in McAllen vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 42.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is McAllen more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McAllen is 14.9% lower than Bakersfield (85.895 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· McAllen, TX.